NBS 40-over 2nd Division tourney launched… GCA’s President says tournament is a feeder for bigger things

Sep 28, 2017 Sports, https://www.kaieteurnewsonline...r-for-bigger-things/

By Sean Devers

Former West Indies Test player, former West Indies Coach and Guyana Amazon Warriors’ Coach are Caps worn by Roger Harper, but yesterday on the fourth floor of the New Building Society (NBS) Harper spoke proudly as the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) President when he told the gathering that several players, who played in this tournament, has gone on to play for Guyana at youth level.
The occasion was the Launching of the sixth annual NBS competition for second division clubs in the City which concluded with the 2017 sponsorship cheque being presented by NBS’s Mr. Majeed to Harper.
The tournament is scheduled to commence this Saturday with defending Champions Transport Sports Club taking on Ace Warriors at Bourda, Everest facing Diplomats at Everest, MYO opposing Police at Eve Leary and GDF hosting UG in Zone ‘A’.
In Zone ‘B’, GCC battle DCC at DCC, Sophia come up against GYO at GYO and Third Class face GNIC at GNIC. MSC draw the bye. All games will start at 10:30hrs.
The teams will vie for the $100, 000 winners’ prize, the runners-up take home $70,000 and the semi-finalists collect $40,000 each.
Majeed spoke about the glory days of West Indies cricket when the Caribbean side was in the finals of the first World Cup tournaments, winning the first two and lamented on the present standard. Majeed said that he did not want to lament about the issues affecting local cricket but said with West Indies cricket in crisis, sponsorship of cricket is welcomed by all involved.
Harper disclosed the 15 teams that will participate in the tournament, adding that the teams are excited about the competition and were looking forward to making maximum use of the current good weather.
“This sponsorship has provided opportunities for the players to represent Clubs in Georgetown to showcase their talent and hone their skills. A point to note is that while the clubs are in Georgetown, the players come from all around the Country, including as far as Essequibo,” Harper said.
“Last year, there were 12 youngsters who represented Guyana in various youth teams that would have played in the New Building Society tournament during the first three years. Well this year the trend continued with eight players representing Guyana in various youth teams. They are; Shemar Yearwood who played for the Guyana U-15 team. Ashmead Nedd, Sachin Singh, Qumar Torrington and Alphius Bookie played for the U-17 team and Bhaskar Yadram, Ronaldo Ali-Mohammed, Joshua Persaud and Raymond Perez for the U-19s,” Harper reminded.
Harper told the NBS officials at the head table that undoubtedly their sponsorship continues to bear good fruit before thanking the company for sponsoring this competition and supporting the youths and the grassroots of our sport.
Chairman of the GCA’s Competitions’ Committee Shawn Massiah explained that the teams will be divided into two zones with the top two teams in each zone qualifying for the semis, adding that there are batting and bowling bonus points, while pacers with have to bowl 16 of the 40 overs in a completed game.
Chairman of NBS, Floyd McDonald spoke of the interest this competition has generated and said accountability is very important, adding that NBS, which also supports sports in Berbice, and would continue to provide sponsorship for the well-run Associations.
“We will continue to sponsor this tournament since we have gotten value for money,” McDonald promised.
The competition is expected to climax with the Final on the last weekend in October and will be played with White clothes and Red Balls. GCC were Champions in the 2012, ’13 & ’14 while DCC took the 2015 title with TSC winning last year.